Former President Rodrigo Duterte is ready to face the crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC) and has “no regrets” about what he did during his service to the country, Vice President Sara Duterte said on Wednesday, March 19 (Manila time).
“Alam naman niya, oo. Sinabi naman niya, ‘Haharapin ko ito. I do not regret anything that I did sa aking paglilingkod sa bayan,’” the official shared in an interview with reporters after meeting with her father.
“He said he doesn’t regret anything that he did sa pagtatrabaho niya para sa bayan at nakita naman ng bayan kung ano iyong resulta ng kanyang serbisyo para sa bayan.”
The younger Duterte assured that the former chief executive is doing well inside the ICC detention facility, adding that he even joking with the people there now.
He also didn’t lose his usual cheeky response to his detention.
“Sabi nya wala pa naman siya ginagawa pa because at the moment he’s retired. Wala pang elections so hindi pa siya mayor so he might as well stay inside,” the Vice President quoted him.
“I have to tell you, he is charming… That is his style. He’s very friendly with people inside,” she added.
LETTERS FROM SUPPORTERS
The former president has been busy reading letters of his supporters sent to The Hague, something that the Vice President said she was initially intrigued as she didn’t know detainees were allowed to receive letters.
“So, apparently pwede pala magpadala ng letters sa loob. Marami sa ating mga kababayan na gustong magpaabot sa kanya ng mensahe nila,” she noted.
After her father received a letter while she was visiting, she asked a detention center personnel about the process of sending and receiving letters.
The younger Duterte was informed that the letters would have to be vetted by the ICC and if there is nothing incriminating in the letters, these would be sent to the recipients.
STILL RUNNING
FOR MAYOR
The Vice President also confirmed that her father will still seek the mayoralty seat in Davao City despite being detained in The Hague.
“He’s only an accused. An accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Masyado pa tayong malayo doon sa he’s a convict,” she said.
The former president is running against his former Cabinet secretary, Karlo Nograles.
The younger Duterte, who will be facing an impeachment trial in the Senate this July, stressed that their camp’s goal is to bring her father home as soon as possible.
“The target is to bring (him) home today. Pero (But), as we all know, it takes a lot of paperwork,” she said. (Raymund Antonio)
